Michael Sherwin

Michael Sherwin, beloved husband of Carol L., (nee Werner), father to Martha "Sandy" Saunders Sherwin, wife of Andrew Kalt of Oakland, California and Michael John Sherwin, husband to Michelle Sherwin (nee Thomas) and three grandsons, James, Jack and Joseph, died on March 1, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona.  He was brother to Kim Sherwin of Cleveland, Ohio, George S. Sherwin, husband to Sue (nee Flynn) of Naples, Florida and James L. Sherwin (“Lanny”), husband to Holly (nee Landes) of Santa Barbara, Cal. Michael is also survived by Judith L. Roberts of Los Angeles, CA, who is the mother of Sandy and Michael John.  He was preceded in death by his parents, James N. Sherwin and Kathleen Sherwin (nee Burke.)

Mike graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Conn. in 1959.  He received his B.S. in Business Administration  & Mechanical Engineering with honors in 1963 from  Lehigh University.  In 1965, he earned his M.B.A. in Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.

After graduation he and his family moved back to Cleveland and went to work at National City Bank for three years before he then became a general partner at Prescott, Ball & Turben.  In 1974 he returned to National City as founder, president and director of National City Venture Corporation and later became President of National City Capital Corporation  and National City Financial Corporation.  In 1980 he became chief executive officer and principal shareholder of Columbiana Boiler Company in Columbiana, Ohio.  He joined Mid-West Forge Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio in 1987 as Vice Chairman and Director.

Mike was known as a very generous man with family, friends and a wide variety of charities and organizations.  He supplied tuition for several students to earn their college degrees.  He was recognized as the longest continuous sponsor of the Rainbow Golf Classic and had the honor of the annual trophy being named The Sherwin Cup.  He also served on the Rainbow Endowment Committee for many years. After being a trustee for several years, he was asked to become the Chairman and President of the Cleveland Museum of Art and served from 1992 to 1997.  During that same time Mike also held the position of Director and Audit Committee Chairman for the Callaway Golf Company.  He joined the board and executive committee of the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 2002, devoted to advocacy for cancer survivors.  During his twelve years with LiveSTRONG, he helped raise $850 million for cancer survivorship.  He started the Kirtland Caddie Scholarship Fund to support the caddies at Kirtland Country Club with their college education.  He also served as a director on numerous companies and organizations.

Mike had a passion for cars and racing for 20 years.  In recent years he studied photography and it became a full time avocation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Institutional Relations & Development, In Memory of Michael Sherwin, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Mail Stop MCCO 5062, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 or to Kirtland Country Club Caddie Scholarship Fund, In Memory of Michael Sherwin, 39438 Kirtland Road, Willoughby, Ohio 44094 or to Bluecoats, Inc., In Memory of Michael Sherwin, 23300 Mercantile Road, Beachwood, OH 44122.

There will be a private family burial.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at the Kirtland Country Club, 39438 Kirtland Road, Willoughby, OH 44094 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.